training

It’s finally here, the off-season. No more starving for single-digit body fat. It’s time to throw on my favorite hoodie and sweatpants and pursue a career in Mukbang. Well, ok. Not just yet. Before diving down that delicious rocky road, I have to ask myself “Do I want to be better?” Of course, I...

Chris Hemsworth’s journey to becoming Thor wasn’t an easy one. The Australian actor almost gave up on his dream of being a famous actor after his first audition for the role of Thor. Here’s what he had to say about it: “I didn’t really get in touch with my masculinity for a while, probably...

Let’s be honest: When it comes to nice, juicy arms, some of this is going to come down to luck of the draw and having the right parents. We’ve all met people in the gym who are printing off tickets to the gun show like they’re going out of style, but have never touched an arm day once in their...

It’s no secret that you need to work out if you’re looking to get a lean body, lose weight or have an excellent physique. However, choosing the proper workout set can be daunting, making working out sometimes overwhelming. Also, the types of workout sets you may need to go through can seem...

This story has been told a few thousand times, but we’ll go again. In his bodybuilding heyday, Arnold Schwarzenegger was so embarrassed by the size of his calves that he cut off all his training pants at the knees (or maybe he just wore shorts) to shame himself into calf training. History tells...

Are you tired of hitting a plateau in your fitness routine? Do you need help staying motivated and consistent in your workouts? Are you unsure if you’re performing exercises correctly or safely? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to consider working with a personal...

I put out a blog called The Daily Pump in which I discuss my workouts and other goings-on. I find it amusing when some people respond by telling me almost in a panic that I’m not training in the style they think I should be. It’s great that they’re genuinely concerned, and I appreciate it very...

For decades doctors and other so-called experts have discouraged kids from lifting weights—something about stunted growth and premature bone-plate closure. Considering all the climbing, running and jumping that kids do—usually off of roofs and out of trees—that never made a lot of sense. Now...

Q: I know you probably get a lot of questions, but I was wondering if you could help out a beginner. I haven’t worked out in more than three years, except the occasional two-weeks-of-workouts-then-quit stuff. I’m 6’, 160 pounds—my lowest since ninth grade—and I’m 18. I’m wondering if you agree...

Coach, trainer, pro bodybuilder and IRON MAN columnist Eric Broser recently relocated to Beverly Hills, California, to make himself more easily accessible to members of the entertainment industry for one-on-one training. Eric loves the challenge and satisfaction of rapidly “restructuring” a...

Q: How important is stretching to a weightlifter? A: To some extent it depends on the individual, a statement that applies to any fitness pursuit. Basically, the training protocol you implement needs be something that will accomplish your goals. Even so, most lifters don’t have crystalline...

Maybe you just moved to a new city, or are moving to one soon. Or maybe you aren’t going anywhere; you’re just not happy with the gym where you’re training right now and feel it’s time for a change. So where should you go—and how will you find the right gym for you? Social-media referrals. In...

ADVERTISEMENT Are you spending a lot of time at the gym trying to keep your ripped abs and biceps in top shape? All that effort can still head easily downhill. Clearly, a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle are the first steps to take full advantage of your training efforts. However, there...

Is it optimal to perform full or partial range of motion (ROM) reps? In a study by Gerard McMahon and colleagues, the aim was to identify the differences between training with a full ROM compared to a partial ROM. Recreationally active study participants in their late teens and early 20s...

If you’re an advanced athlete, someone who hits the gym leisurely, or find yourself somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum, push-ups need to be in your program. There is simply no doubt about their effectiveness. Bodyweight training seems to have taken a backseat recently since a wide...

If you’ve been interested in health and fitness for any length of time, this is a question that you’ll almost certainly have come across. You’ve maybe even asked it yourself. You probably recognise the need for both, but may not fully appreciate the benefits of them in a fat loss context, or...

You’ve just received a magic lamp. Congrats! Rub it three times, and you can choose one of two wishes: 1. Gain muscle without adding any body fat. You just train, eat, and slabs of muscle layer onto your body. You don’t have to eat outrageous amounts of food and the muscle keeps packing on. 2...

WHAT’S A DELOAD, AND WHEN DO YOU NEED ONE? Feeling a little fatigued in training? What could it be? Your sleep, nutrition, and stress catching up? Or have you been pushing it too hard in training and it’s time for a deload week? If you’ve been in Persist for more than a few weeks, you may be...

1. LOAD ONLY MATTERS TO YOUR EGO It feels weird to say this as someone who used to chase every single pound and point. But unless you’re competing, it’s true. You get stronger and bigger muscles through mechanical tension. And how much load you need to create this tension varies dramatically. A...

6 HARD TRUTHS ABOUT METCONS 1. HIGH-INTENSITY CARDIO IS LIKE A DRUG - IT'S HARD TO BREAK THE HABIT When you push yourself hard doing High Intensity Cardio, or a CrossFit Metcon, there is an almost euphoric feeling when you are done. Not many people love the pain while they are in the midst of...